Madhuri loved and hated

Hated.... OH SO HATED!!!

Není na světě člověk ten, aby se zalíbil lidem všem – that is an old Czech proverb meaning „There is not one person in the world, whom everybody would love“, but in English it doesn´t sound as half as nice. And being a popular celebrity goes hand in hand with being hated, bashed, hated, insulted and hated. The more fans there are, the more haters lurk in the dark corners of the internet, ready to strike with their venomous posts, bravely and cleverly hidden under the label of „Anonymous“ most of the time. As a former hater myself (hello Kajol, whom I like now) I know only too well that the only and real reasons for hating an actor are just two: somebody spoke about him/her too much for your liking or draw comparisms very much unflattering to the actor you love (my case), or you are just a jealous looser that the other celebrity has more or equal success/fans/film offers etc...... That you don´t like somebody´s acting doesn´t make you a hater. (Here I should say I don´t HATE Sonam Kapoor, I just think she´s pathetic actress and I don´t give her much thought beyond the span of a film), and your tastes have all the right to differ.

But there are still plenty of them, haters who spend their lives hating on somebody they never met, drawing conclusions from short gossip article titles and they are capable of finding the most unflattering photos. They can be recognized by USING CAPSLOCK, usually have poor spelling and grammar, haunt youtube and infest Pinkvilla. And some of them hate Madhuri. Oh how much they hate her. Just recently I found a facebook group that says it all: WE HATE MADHURI (JUHI IS THE BEST). Obviously there are only six members and the group was so „popular“ it´s going to be archived soon.....

Some absolutely know her through and through – plus they are daily guests in her household!

„she comes across as being warm only because of her smile, she knows she has a nice smile and she uses it. i detected that coldness/aloofness in her during the KJO interview as well - when Rani was gushing over her and sucking up to her, i was so surprised to see NO humility from madhuri, she just sat there all icy and uppity acting all diva about it.“ - Anonymous, Pinkvilla

„She tries to act to perfect and gives a picture of too perfect a family like getting up at 6 and then cooking for her kids...Pls...I hardly know any well to do housewife doing household themselves and getting up so early.They can always find a help for all that. Actually she always sounds fake to me.... Who is she fooling?“ - Anonymous, Pinkvilla

„I am sure she never a cooked a grain of rice in her life even for her kids since she seems to be so desperately trying to be in Bollywood to resurrect something that remotely resembles a career!“ - Anonymous, Pinkvilla

„Geez is M.D that desperate for $$$$?. She and Nene are loaded seriously.. Go back to your kids woman..“ - Anonymous, Pinkvilla

Some probably watch only 50s Bollywood, because they are not in the least bothered by the half-naked actresses these days and for them: „vulgar= Madhuri+saroj khan“ - Anonymous, South Spy

„Madhuri was the epitome of vulgarity is 90s. Who can forget Aaj phir tumse from Dayavaan, Dhak Dhak ( one of the most vulgar dances), the love making scene from Parinda, the scene from Beta before Saiyan ji se chupke and the dance itself..and she continued with such cheap stuff until her Aunty age. Padmashree Madhuri Dixit. Aishwarya has been the most graceful and decent of the actresses of late 90s and 2000.“ - Anonymous, Pinkvilla

„Pray remind me how when she was just another overhyped BW actress with less talent but struck gold with her cheap jhatkas and thumkas? At least Aishwarya went global and now enjoys the fame & success which Madhuri herself failed to do in her heydays. Even in Devdas,Ash stole her thunder. Poor Madhuri was not even invited to Cannes or other film festivals! tsk tsk tsk“ - evildancingdiva, Pinkvilla

„Madhuri is CHEAP and VULGAR.“ - Anonymous, Pinkvilla

„Madhuri si Pamela Andersson of Bollywood!“ - chof0391, youtube

Some just believe she has no acting skills whatsoever...
„I think Madhuri is not an actress in the first place. on screen or off screen she is the same how much can someone be more pathetic???“ - halimali, youtube (by the way this person always claims to like her at first, but then somehow forgets it or something....)

„Did Madhuri Dixit Deserve her best actress awards? No she cannot act!!!“ - Rosey, Filmifanatics

„she was like the Katrina Kaif of 90s - a below average actress who only lucked out because of her dancing prowess and starring in an array of hit films but otherwise, she is highly OVERRATED. now coming back to the awards, another BIG FAT NO!! her roles in those films were nothing spectacular and she simply won because of the usual rigged politics.“ - marianne, Filmifanatics

Some are downright disgusting (read only if you´re strong enough):
„HA HA HA...i smell something burning..you know what is meant my MD cutting weight? Cutting her red yellow black multicolor 3 dimesional PIMPLES, ACNES, SCARS, HOLES full of PUS all over her DIRTY FACE. And What about Sanjay Jee and Shubhash Jee hee heee heee..anybody before countering me,..look at who starts it everytime“ - nabutinghau, youtube

And some don´t waste their time with explaining, but do bother clicking on topics and articles containing her name:

„I hate Madhuri!“ - AviationGuy, SantaBanta forums

„I have had enough of aunty Madhuri!!! Give us a long break Pleaseee.“ - Anonymous, Pinkvilla

„She sucks.“ - Anonymous, Pinkvilla

„Get lost from INDIA.“ - Anonymous, Pinkvilla

So what did we learn (apart from the fact that if you want to hate on someone it´s best to be Anonymous on Pinkvilla)? That Madhuri is bad actress, bad dancer, ugly, manipulative, vulgar..... I really wonder why do I love her?

Loved... OH SO LOVED!

For every hurtful comment, for every spiteful attack, there are hundreds and hundreds expressions of love and appreciation. Every single of those hateful comments received overload of responses by Madhuri´s supporters. Yes, some of those responses were ugly (and as soon as they defame other actresses, I don´t consider them worthy of praising Mads) and I don´t agree with their way of leading an argument. But some are beautifully put, beautifully expressed, and so very much from the heart....

„She seems to have gotten all the dance genes of the world. unbelievable. It looks like it's part of her - such smooth motion.“ - 297megha, youtube

„No words, the talent is in her blood,each movement she performs seems to be divine.“ - skvrind74, youtube

„There are so many who are dying to watch her even if she gets old. Beacause she is one and only one. No one was and no one can ever be like her.“ - gemphu1234

„Madhuri Dixit is the epitome of Indian female beauty. I have always admired and loved her divine beauty and grace and she looks like a Hindu goddess in human form :)“ - Enigma1990ad, youtube

„Madhuri is Bollywood to many. Many many people still hold Bollywood and Madhuri to be one . Because she is a struggler to success story !!! We saw some non-makeup photos in the personal collection of our Mumbai producer friends' photo album of her on the sets taken when she was not 'posing' --- Madhuri looked very very beautiful.. (no pancake.. her beauty shining out and out. she's actually somewhat beautifully dusky.. see Parinda...). she was not smiling, just regally sitting.. thinking... and that was the most beautiful photo of her.. with no makeup... no famed smile. The thing that's striking about her is her facial angles and that grace. People say she often just 'zones out' in the sets to think about her role.. and then lights up on screen.“ - Anonymous, Pinkvilla

„And GOD said, Let their be MADHURI DIXIT!!! and we have all been in AWE ever since!!! what a woman! what a diva and what a LEGEND!!!This is Talent and Beauty at it's BEST!!“ - NoRegretsNot1, youtube

„I need Madhuri in a movie so badly...... her acting is always like a fresh air in a suffocating space.....“ - Coconutty, Pinkvilla

And what the heck.... I like posting quotes about Madhuri by those who actually know her:

"Madhuri is a wonderful person, very warm and friendly. I´m very friendly with her as a director and as a person. We vibe very well as a director and an actress.She understands me... Madhuri is the nicest person I´ve worked with. Even though she´s a major star, she will never let you feel she´s Madhuri Dixit. If she´s where she is today, it is because of her performances, her professionalism and her nature. She mingles around with one and all. She doesn´t see who´s big or small. There are people who are not as half as big as she is, actresses, who are not Madhuri Dixits, even character artistes, who throw tantrums, but never Madhuri.... It can be possible for any man to be attracted to Madhuri any time. She´s a wonderful woman to be attracted to...." - Rajeev Kapoor

"When it comes to comparison, I always compare every actress with Madhuri and as a  result every actress disappoints." - Salman Khan

"Madhuri Dixit is such a devoted actress and dancer that hardly anyone in India has come to her level." - Mithun Chakraborty

"Madhuri has become my weakness. There are very few actors, who can surprise me, but she was so brilliant even I was mesmerized." - Raj Kumar Santoshi

(for more go here: http://madhuridixit.blog.cz/en )

Most of my own sentiments have been already expressed in my previous article Madhuri Dixit – When name weaves magic and also my dear friend Siham had her own to say in Why do I love Madhuri Dixit.

And one message for all the haters out there: You do realize Madhuri doesn´t give a damn about your hatred, don´t you? Wouldn´t it be better to go and waste your life in some other way?

Madhuri's forgotten dances

There are so many.... I have not even seen them all.... Usually from the films that did not do well. And together with them they passed into oblivion. Undeservingly. Because they were splendid. Not all of them. Some had trashy music. Some had trashy choreography. She was still as graceful and delightful as ever in all of them. The forgotten dances of Madhuri´s are sometimes actually even more astounding then the ones so much celebrated. Some of those are featured in this very article. And again, going by the timeline, I have to feature this beautiful dance, which has only recently made it´s way to me. Because it is technically not Bollywood. Yes – young, pre-Tezaab Madhuri obviously did what might be called and item number in a gujarati film Satyavadi Raja Harishchandra. What was it about? I have no idea. What was the point of the song? Do not ask me. All I can say is – enjoy, because it is not everyday you find a new Madhuri dance number!

Both Ladoo Yeh Ladoo (sung by Asha Bhosle) and Pehli Pehli Baar Aisa Thanedaar AAya (sung by Alka Yagnik and Amit Kumar) were featured in a film Thanedaar, and are, just like the revered Mera Piya Ghar Aaya, great examples of how much Madhuri actually enjoys dancing. Both stayed in the shadow of Tamma Tamma, that was completely different and very modern, while these two were classic Bollywood dances. Still they are a treat to watch! In the second song Madhuri is joined in by Kunika, which is brave, but at the same time it really shows the difference between a born dancer and a person, who is simply trying to dance.

Saajan (1992) was one of the most successful films of the 90s, and its music was very much appreciated. For some reason however it is hardly talked about today. Maybe some find it outdated, but that would be the case of practically every film from the period. Saajan songs were overally slow-ish duets, but that was not the case of oh-so-beautifully named Tu Shayar Hai, which presented Madhuri in one of the most beautiful ways. The dance was rather modern, not so much the setting, which actually reminds me more of the deep 80s then year 1992. the background dancers are actually quite funny to watch in their little skirts and horrendous outfits, and some of them are actually pretty chubby and I don´t think they would have a chance to do films today. But in the end even this dance is about Madhuri and Madhuri only. And Madhuri with the cutest expressions shines, whether in the orange, blue or her most essential white.

Sangeet was a flop. Pity, because the story was sweet, performances beautiful and music lovely. It is actually one of Madhuri´s personal favourites. When people remember Sangeet, they usually remember „Mein Tumhari Hoon“ dance, which was outrageously sexy, but sadly its original intention was to point out how wrong it actually is to sell the sight of a rather uncovered girl dancing (though Madhuri´s outfit looks like a complete dull burkha compared to the normal „clothes“ seen in Bollywood dances these days). The song I loved the most in Sangeet was Saat Suron Ke Taar Ban Gaye, and that is also the one I´m presenting to you today. Although I must admit I do not like Madhuri´s light contact lenses. Her eyes are most beautiful when left alone!

Just like Tamma Tamma ate all the attention in Thanedaar, hardly anyone could really think much beydon Choli Ke Peeche in Khalnayak. Pity. Because there were two more amazing, visually beautiful dances. Especially Aaja Sajan Aaja is just splendidly shot. It was also practically a goodbye from Madhuri in the film, because nearly immediately after this song she disappeared from the movie, letting the last 30 minutes to become a real bore, though it was packed with action. She was the soul of Khalnayak, and without her there was no life. For me the film pretty much ends with this song.

Incredibly catchy melody! Song Namaste Namaste is plain fun! And also an unashamed advertising of Emami cosmetics. That somehow turned me off at the very beginning, because I HATE advertisements, and this one did not even try to be hidden. Thankfully the moment Madhuri starts dancing rest of the world and everything around looses importance really. True, the last outfit she was made to wear is rather funny, but so is Salman Khan throughout the whole song. From a sweet, but unsuccessful film Dil Tera Aashiq, here comes a sweet song

There is something very much special about this song. Well, not so much about the song as the dance itself. It is something that doesn´t strike you immediately, but in the end you do realize..... that this whole song has been shot in ONE continuous, uninterrupted take! I don´t recall seeing anything like that in any other film as yet, and it only makes me go more wow. Because everything is just so perfect – the timing, every step, every movement of the saree in the wind.... Barson Ke Baad from Anjaam (1994) does reminds me a bit of Dhak Dhak, though the story could not have been more different. But here she is, beautiful, enticing, sensual.....

One has to love this song. Even if only for the fact Madhuri is drunk in it (not really of course). And she can still give anyone a run for their money. Yaraana overally had a fine music and good dancing, some of the dances were rather comical, then there was the running over the Swiss meadows we all are familiar with, and then of course there was Mera Piya Ghar Aaya (for reasons I´ll never get cut out from many DVDs). Jaane Woh Kaisa Chor Tha has also an awesome single take moment. Just watch out as the light goes out and Madhuri´s anger and desperation takes form of the dance.

One of my ABSOLUTE favourites EVER. One of the most beautiful Madhuri dances ever. The one I watch every week at least three times. Why? Because it is just SO BEAUTIFUL. I don´t really have words for this one...... I love it dearly. Then again I love that film too, but sadly Prem Granth (1996) flopped badly and undeservingly. My review of this one is going to be long, when it comes. Jungle Mein Sher was a true highlight, but I cannot help but also mention Dil Lene Ki Ruth Aayi, which for me has that fascinating something, that cannot be defined. Not even the presence of Rishi Kapoor could ruin it for me. After all, everything I was able to watch was Madhuri....

Another film that flopped, and this one time very much deservingly so, because it was just bad, was Rajkumar (1995) in which the usually over-hairy Anil Kapoor becomes a Robin Hood in some far away country full of sarees and Egyptian columns. The only saving grace, and only reason why you just might to watch this, is (of course) gorgeous La Dixit in an ungrateful and anything but meaty role of a Princess. She was used merely as a love interest and her presence was the best excuse for some dancing. But my – what dancing that was!

Sanson Ki Mala Pe from Koyla always makes me stop breathing. Such is the power of the dance, such is the feeling of it, that I literally stop breathing while I watch it. The intensity of pain, of desperation is screaming from every gesture and expression. And it gets more and more intense by a second. Until finally she has tears in her eyes.... and to be honest very often so do I. Koyla (1997) is my guilty pleasure. One of those so bad it´s actually good movies. And this song ads a lot the good part. Throw in a passionately drumming Shahrukh Khan.... and you have picture perfect.

After all that pain and emotions, lets move on to something easy on the heart. I would rate the following dance as „cute“, because it really isn´t anything groundbreaking. And quite frankly it suffers from some awful props and silly dressed background dancers. And I´m not fond of Madhuri´s first outfit either. But obviously, though it didn´t do well in India, Mohabbat (1997) did very well overseas, especially in Britain. Chori Chori is really not among Madhuri´s best dances. But it is still highly enjoyable.

And something different yet again. We´ve already talked about the famous Que Sera Sera in another article, and even QSS did overshadow another dance number from the same film. Because Pukar (2000) featured also a very sexy and very much modernly polished Hai Jaana. Time for our sweet Madhuri to turn a bit bitchy, and very, very much sensual. My absolute favourite part is the beginning. I´m sure you´ll see why.

As much as it pains me, I cannot possibly mention all the dances I´d like to. So let me finish this journey with one more dance. A rather short one. From a movie, that did not make sense to many. Gaja Gamini was a pure art, and a celebration of a woman. And Madhuri, in the following two minutes, will show you what it is means to live music, to feel it – and yes, make love to it.

Anyone feels like dancing?

When dil goes dhak dhak (part 2)

Mera Piya Ghar Aaya is a dance number that I always recommend when you are trying to introduce Madhuri Dixit to somebody new. Because it is practically perfect. Once again Madhuri´s love for dancing is more then apparent and nobody can tell how much her knees hurt after the shooting! Not for a second does she let go of that joyous, sweet and mischevous expression. The dance was a part of a film Yaraana (1995), and though the movie did only an average business, the song became almost an anthemn. When Madhuri got married in 1999 and the knowledge about it spread out, there were special television programs showing this very song.

There is no anecdote related to the „Maya´s dance“ featured in a hit film Dil To Pagal Hai (1997), at least none known to me. All that can be said is that this was the only classical dance number in the film and it was choreographed by Jaikishan Maharaj Kiran. I know of several people who purchased the DVD only for this dance. No wonder. Madhuri dressed very simply in white, giving herself up to the beat of drums, dancing in a moonlight, is a wonderful sight to behold. When I watched the dance for the first time, I had the exactly same expression on my face as Shahrukh Khan in the film!

Makhna presented Madhuri (very much intentionally and with her consent) in a whole new sexy way. The ultra-short skirts, ponytail, straight hair...... everything was very diferent from her usual image. And it worked magic! It was this item song and a guest appearance in a movie Bade Miyan Chhote Miyan (1998) that brought together three grat names – Madhuri was accompanied by Amitabh Bachchan and Govinda, and all three fondly remember those seven days Madhuri spent on the sets of the film. It was the first (and seems that also last) time Madhuri and Big B were together in a film frame. "While working with Madhuri in Chhote Miyan,“ tweeted Amitabh in December 2010, „the first thought that crossed my mind was that I should have born 20 years later."

90s saw the globalization of Indian cinema on a truly big scale. Up until that point the westernized dancing was seen in Bollywood films, but the classical dancing and choreography inspired by it held the upper hand. But as the western trends became more and more fashionable, also this was changing. One of the best choreographers inspired by the west is Prabhu Deva. And when Madhuri was told he was responsible for one of the dance numbers in Pukar (2000) for the first time in her life she was scared of dancing, absolutely terrified she won´t be able to do it. And though Mr. Choreographer kept reassuring her the steps were all „very easy“, none of them was easy and it took Madhuri some time to master them, also because she was down with a fever for several weeks at the time. In the end the song was shot several times over, because the two main dancers were not completely satisfied with the result. Today Que Sera Sera is one of the most popular Madhuri dance numbers.

Lajja (2001) was a film full of star guest apearances. Urmila Matondakar and Sonali Bedre both were roped in for item numbers, and both were excellent, but the true dance highlight of the movie was Badi Mushkil performed by Madhuri. As a theater actress Jhanki she wants to share her joy of life and dance with Manisha Koirala, who attempts to join her near the end, but cannot really match our lady. Manisha admited: "Initially, I was a bit wary. Thanks to some of my earlier brash statements. But once she thawed, she was lovely. Oof, she's gorgeous. And I'm convinced she's an uncomplicated person. What you see is what you get. It took me ten years to realise that though. Know what? She even helped me out with my dance steps during the rehearsals for Lajja. I'm her biggest fan today."

"I was always a Madhuri Dixit fan. But after doing Devdas, I became her devotee. We used to shoot late at nights as almost all of Madhuri's songs in Devdas are in night. I used to see how engrossed Madhuri used to be while rehearsing the steps. We used to have food together. Me, Madhuri, Madhuri's mom and some people from crew. Even Shah Rukh sometimes. But then at the stroke of the morning hours of about 4.30 am, I again used to see MD, very fresh, calm and engrossed in her rehearsals. She used to practice each and every step so perfectly as is Pandit Birju Maharaj ji has just now taught her. This shows her professionalism, her dedication to her work. Otherwise I have seen actors being extremely late on shoots or giving it a complete skip. Working with Madhuri was like a morale boast. If a superstar can work so hard, then why can't people like us?" That is how Milind Gunaji recalled working with Madhuri in SLB´s Devdas. And whatever you think about it as a film, Devdas did give Madhuri three of her most beautiful, iconic dances. Kahe Chhed Mohe is possibly the most glorious moment of cinematic dancing ever. Maar Daala is by many considered to be the ultimate mujra song. And Dola Re Dola is probably the most amazing dance number I´ve ever seen. The latter two were choreographed (yet again) by Saroj Khan, Kahe Chhed Mohe was entrusted to Pandit Birju Maharaj, a Kathak Master, whom Madhuri admits to be completely in awe of. And the demanding Master let himself be heard that „after Madhuri Dixit, I don't find any actress capable of performing classical dancing flawlessly.“

So far the last one....... and I pray not the last one ever. The film Aaja Nachle (2007) did not succeed in India, though it recovered all its costs and did reasonably well overseas, but the title song picturized on Madhuri has become hugely popular. Vaibhavi Merchant did not have an easy task, but did a good job and gave Madhuri moves we had not seen her doing before. The black and blue striking fantasy that is Aaja Nachle made a huge impact, even if the film did not.

That would be for the famous ones.... and tommorow we´ll indulge ourselves with some seriously awesome dances, which are undeservingly forgotten....